UPDATE: In a thrilling showdown, Jose Ramirez has officially moved into sole possession of second place on the Cleveland Guardians’ all-time RBI list, surpassing Jim Thome with his 938th career RBI. This pivotal achievement came during the Guardians’ 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on September 17, 2023, a game crucial for the wild-card race.
Ramirez delivered in the sixth inning, hitting a game-tying triple off Garrett Cleavinger (1-5), putting him just 146 RBIs shy of the franchise record held by Earl Averill at 1,084. The Guardians then took the lead when Gabriel Arias followed up with an RBI single, scoring David Fry, who made a thrilling headfirst slide home just ahead of a throw from right fielder Josh Lowe.
This victory marks a significant moment for Cleveland, which has now won three consecutive games in the four-game series, improving their record to 72-70. The win also pushes them ahead of the Rays, who now stand at 71-72. With only weeks left in the season, Cleveland remains in the hunt for the playoffs, trailing Seattle, who leads the race for the third and final wild card spot at 75-68.
In a standout performance, left-hander Parker Messick (2-0) showcased his talent, allowing just one run on eight hits across six innings while striking out four and walking none. Meanwhile, Cade Smith secured his 11th save in 16 chances, striking out the side in a nail-biting ninth inning.
Despite the excitement, the game drew only 8,155 fans, marking the 16th instance this season at Steinbrenner Field where attendance failed to reach the stadium’s 10,046 capacity.
This latest development in the MLB is not just about stats; it reflects the heart and determination of the Guardians as they push for postseason glory. Fans and analysts alike are eagerly watching to see if Ramirez can continue his remarkable season and lead his team to the playoffs.
Stay tuned for further updates as the wild-card race intensifies!
